Knowing Christ: A Journey of Surrender and Transformation


”But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.“ Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬


Introduction:

In our journey of faith, there comes a moment when everything shifts—when what once seemed valuable pales in comparison to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. This transformation is beautifully articulated by the apostle Paul in Philippians 3:7-14.


1. Recognizing the Incomparable Worth of Christ:

Paul begins by reflecting on his own life, acknowledging that all his previous accomplishments and accolades are worthless compared to knowing Christ. In our own lives, we are called to reassess our priorities and recognize that nothing compares to the depth of relationship with Jesus.


  • Matthew 13:44-46: The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl emphasize the incomparable value of knowing Christ, worth more than anything else in this world.
  • Colossians 1:15-20: Paul’s letter to the Colossians emphasizes the supremacy of Christ, who is the image of the invisible God and holds all things together. Knowing Him is the foundation of our faith.


2. Embracing a New Identity in Christ:

Paul emphasizes that our righteousness does not come from keeping the law but through faith in Christ. It's not about our own efforts or achievements, but about embracing the righteousness that comes from God. As we surrender to Christ, we are given a new identity as children of God, clothed in His righteousness.


  • 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Through faith in Christ, we are made new and inherit a new identity as His children.
  • Romans 3:21-22: Righteousness comes not through the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. Our righteousness is a gift from God, received by faith.


3. Pursuing Intimacy with Christ:

Paul's desire to know Christ goes beyond mere head knowledge; it's a longing for intimacy and communion with Him. This involves experiencing the power of His resurrection, participating in His sufferings, and becoming like Him in His death. Knowing Christ is not just about the highs but also the lows, embracing both the joy and the pain of following Him.


  • John 17:3: “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” Eternal life is found in knowing God and Jesus Christ intimately.
  • 1 Peter 4:13: Sharing in Christ’s sufferings enables us to participate in His glory. Suffering for His sake deepens our intimacy with Him.


4. Pressing Onward in Faith:

Paul acknowledges that he hasn't fully attained this intimacy with Christ, but he presses onward, forgetting what lies behind and straining toward what lies ahead. Our journey of knowing Christ is marked by perseverance, continually pressing on toward the goal of deeper intimacy and transformation.


  • Hebrews 12:1-2: Encourages us to run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of faith.
  • Philippians 1:6: “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Our journey of faith is a process, and God will bring it to completion.


Conclusion:

As we embark on this journey of knowing Christ, may we echo the words of Paul, considering everything else as loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Him. Let us embrace our new identity in Christ, pursue intimacy with Him, and press onward in faith, confident that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Secondhand Faith is Not Genuine Faith

Image
  Sermon:  "A Secondhand Faith is Not Genuine Faith” by Fleury Ndongozi Introduction: Dear friends, today's reflections draw inspiration from the sons of Sceva in Acts 19:13-16.  13  Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.”  14  Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.  15  One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?”  16  Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. This narrative reveals the dangers of a secondhand faith, emphasizing that relying solely on external factors, even with a priestly heritage, does not guarantee genuine spiritual security. I. The Sons of Sceva's Background: These young men had
Read more

The impact of foreign and online ministries on local churches

Introduction In today's global Christian world, foreign and online ministries are growing and impacting local churches. Drawing from my own experiences with these external ministries, I aim to explore how they influence local churches, the theological implications, and the specific challenges faced by diaspora churches, especially African diaspora, trying to replicate their homeland models in foreign settings. I will discuss the pros and cons from a theological perspective to understand their impact on local church life. Considerations of Foreign Ministries Pros of Foreign Ministries Foreign ministries bring global perspectives and new approaches that can enrich local church practices. Theologically, the concept of the universal body of Christ supports the idea that the Church is not limited to any single culture or place. Philippians 2:4 encourages believers to look beyond their own interests and consider others', suggesting a collaborative relationship between local and forei
Read more

When generals fail their soldiers

Image
”And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.“ Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ A few years ago, I had the privilege of preaching a message entitled "Don't bury your general alive," emphasizing the importance of supporting and protecting the servants of God.  Today, I'd like to share some thoughts on the reversed event and talk about "When generals fail their soldiers," where I want to address some issues church members can encounter because of the misbehavior of pastors in the church.  The topic of this message might not be popular, but my prayer is that you might know the truth that can set you free These points I want to share are not just theoretical; I have encountered them personally or have served as a counselor to those who have gone through the same issues. It's a topic that weighs heavily on many people's heart, knowin
Read more